OnePlus 13s vs iPhone 16e: Flagship Specs Go Head-to-Head

Get insights on performance, battery life, cameras, and more of these two frontrunners of the 2025 smartphone race
OnePlus 13s vs iPhone 16e: Flagship Specs Go Head-to-Head
Written By:
Pardeep Sharma
Published on

Key Takeaways

  • OnePlus 13s offers a smoother 120Hz display, faster charging, and versatile dual cameras.

  • iPhone 16e delivers top-tier performance, long battery life, and seamless iOS integration.

  • Both smartphones target premium users, but differ in ecosystem strengths and user preferences.

Smartphones have become smarter, faster, and more personalized than ever this year. The OnePlus 13s and iPhone 16e represent two of the most talked-about flagship models this year. Both devices are powerful, but they are built for different types of users and needs. Let’s perform an in-depth comparison and take a look at their features that can help in understanding what sets them apart.

Design and Display

The OnePlus 13s features a 6.32-inch curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This means the screen is very smooth and responsive when scrolling or playing games. The display has high brightness and great color quality. Its body is made with an aluminum alloy frame, and it has a unique velvet matte finish on the back, giving it a premium feel in the hand.

In contrast, the iPhone 16e has a 6.1-inch Super Retina OLED screen. It uses a traditional flat screen with a 60Hz refresh rate, which is lower and may not feel as smooth as the OnePlus 13s. However, it uses Ceramic Shield on the front, which is highly durable. The iPhone 16e has a strong aluminum frame and carries Apple’s signature clean design with a notch at the top.

Both phones are easy to hold and lightweight, but the OnePlus 13s offers a more modern display with a higher refresh rate and slimmer bezels.

Performance and Processor

The OnePlus 13s is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. It uses advanced 3-nanometer technology, making it one of the fastest chips in Android phones. It is paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, which helps apps load faster and keep the phone running smoothly even with many tasks open.

The iPhone 16e runs on Apple’s A18 chip, also made using 3-nanometer technology. Apple chips are known for high performance, especially in single-core tasks and power efficiency. The iPhone 16e also includes a new modem that improves 5G connectivity and reduces battery drain during calls or streaming.

Both phones are extremely fast and can handle gaming, video editing, and multitasking with ease. However, Apple’s chip may perform slightly better in real-life tasks due to tight integration with iOS.

Also Read - iPhone 16e Review: Is Apple Intelligence Worth the High Price?

Cameras

The OnePlus 13s comes with two cameras on the back, a 50-megapixel main sensor and a 50-megapixel telephoto lens that allows for 2x optical zoom. It also includes AI-powered features like "Best Face," which chooses the best expression from group shots, and "VoiceScribe," which converts speech to text. The front camera is 32 megapixels, which captures clear selfies and supports high-quality video calls.

On the other hand, the iPhone 16e has a single 48-megapixel rear camera. It uses Apple’s Photonic Engine to improve low-light performance and Smart HDR to balance colors in bright and dark areas. The front camera is 12 megapixels and uses Face ID technology for facial recognition.

The OnePlus 13s offers more camera versatility with zoom and AI tools, while the iPhone 16e delivers consistent photo quality with excellent color accuracy and sharpness.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is an area where both phones perform well. The OnePlus 13s has a large 5850mAh battery and supports 80W fast wired charging. It can go from zero to full charge in under 40 minutes. However, it does not support wireless charging.

The iPhone 16e has a smaller battery, around 3960mAh, but thanks to Apple’s optimization, it lasts up to 26 hours on video playback. It supports wired charging via USB-C and wireless charging through Qi (up to 7.5W), though it does not include MagSafe, which is found on higher iPhone models.

Those who need fast charging and long usage might prefer the OnePlus 13s, while users who prefer the convenience of wireless charging may lean toward the iPhone 16e.

Software and AI Features

The OnePlus 13s runs on OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15. It includes several AI features powered by Google’s Gemini AI. These include an AI call assistant, AI voice-to-text transcription, and smart camera tools. One new feature is the “Plus Key,” a button that can be customized to launch any app or shortcut.

The iPhone 16e comes with iOS 18, which brings new features under the name “Apple Intelligence.” These include tools to rewrite texts, summarize emails, generate emojis using AI, and improve photo editing. Apple’s Action Button replaces the silent switch and can also be customized for tasks like launching the camera or flashlight.

Both phones use artificial intelligence to improve the user experience. OnePlus focuses more on smart camera and voice tools, while Apple delivers system-wide improvements with strong privacy features.

Also Read - OnePlus 13s Launched in India: Snapdragon 8 Elite, Price, Specs & Features.

Connectivity and Extras

The OnePlus 13s includes the latest connectivity options like Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and support for NavIC (India’s satellite navigation system). It has an in-display fingerprint scanner and also supports basic face unlock.

The iPhone 16e supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. It offers Face ID as the main biometric option, which is known for accuracy and security. The phone supports 5G with Apple’s modem, providing fast and stable connections.

While the OnePlus model leads in newer wireless standards, Apple’s Face ID and seamless ecosystem give the iPhone 16e an edge in user experience and device syncing.

Price and Availability

The OnePlus 13s is priced at ₹54,999 for the base model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. The 512GB version is priced at ₹59,999. It is currently available in India and is expected to launch in more regions soon.

The iPhone 16e starts at ₹59,999 for the base 128GB model. Higher storage variants (256GB and 512GB) are priced at ₹69,999 and ₹89,900. It is widely available across global markets and supports software updates for many years.

Though both phones fall in the same price range, OnePlus offers more RAM and storage at a slightly lower cost.

The OnePlus 13s and iPhone 16e are both powerful flagship smartphones, but they take different approaches to deliver value.

OnePlus 13s is ideal for those who want:

A modern, high-refresh screen

Faster charging and larger battery

More flexible camera setup

Android features with advanced AI tools

iPhone 16e is perfect for those who value:

Smooth iOS experience with long-term updates

Apple’s top-level chip performance

Face ID security and wireless charging

Seamless integration with other Apple devices

Both models are strong choices in their own right. The final decision depends on which features matter more: cutting-edge hardware and customization, or reliable software and ecosystem integration.

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